NFL Combine: 13 Alabama players land invites, leading all schools

Alabama may have not seen the results they wanted this season, finishing with two regular season losses. LSU and Tennessee were able to benefit, pulling off program defining wins at Neyland Stadium and Tiger Stadium respectively. As a result, head coach Nick Saban has made some coaching changes with the hope of bringing in a fresh breath of air.

Even so, no program in the country has consistently recruited better than the Crimson Tide. Blue chips prospects are littered throughout, meaning the next level will eventually come calling. Now, Alabama has the most players who will attend the upcoming NFL Combine.

Invites were sent out on Wednesday, with 13 coming from Tuscaloosa. No other school will have more in Indianapolis, with SEC rival Georgia having one less. Next closest was LSU and Michigan, who both had nine.

List of Alabama players invited to NFL combine

• Will Anderson Jr., LB
• Jordan Battle, DB
• Brian Branch, DB
• DJ Dale, DL
• Emil Ekiyor Jr., OL
• Jahmyr Gibbs, RB
• DeMarcco Hellams, DB
• Cameron Latu, TE
• Eli Ricks, DB
• Tyler Steen, OL
• Henry To’oTo’o, LB
• Bryce Young, QB
• Byron Young, DL

Will Anderson, Bryce Young expected to be top draft picks

Depending on how the NFL Draft order shakes out, there is a real chance Alabama has two of the top five picks come late April. There are multiple opinions out there on who the top quarterback in the class is but Young’s name is continually brought up. He will compete with CJ Stroud and Will Levis to be the No. 1 overall pick, if the Chicago Bears decide to make a trade.

For Anderson, he and Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter are considered the top two non-quarterbacks in the entire draft. Anderson put up ridiculous numbers over the past two seasons, even if there was technically a regression during 2022.

If Anderson and Young end up being the first two names called by commissioner Roger Goodell, they would join rare company. Michigan State and Nebraska are the only two who can say the same, happening in 1967 and 1984.

Elsewhere in the first round, Branch has the potential to be selected on Thursday night. He ended his Alabama career with a bang, putting on a show against Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl. Gibbs possesses a special set of skills that could see a team take him early as well.